Honouring Our Volunteers: Gerry Mcilhone & Rob Foster

Without volunteers, the Canada Games wouldn’t be possible. Since the first Games took place in Quebec City back in 1967, over 100,000 individuals, whether professionals or not, have volunteered their time to help out in all facets of the Games, and they have done so with great pride. The Niagara 2021 Canada Games Host Society is very proud to continue that tradition of working with passionate volunteers, and is looking forward to welcoming over 4,000 for the Games in August 2021. In honour of National Volunteer Week, we are featuring our leadership team of volunteers, who have been with us since the beginning!

Any major multi-sport event requires an efficient movement of athletes and spectators.It also needs to satisfy the technology requirements of the sports, spectators, officials, media and the facilities themselves.

These attributes are essential to the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Gamesand, when run smoothly, they will be mostly invisible to those attending the Games in August 2021. As Canada celebrates National Volunteer week from April 19-25, the organizing committee is saluting the two lead volunteers that will be responsible for these critical operations — Transportation Chair Gerry McIlhone and Technology Chair Rob Foster.

McIlhone is already thinking about his biggest challenge.

When the Games move into their second week, 2,500 participants will be leaving Niagara after their competitions have ended, only to be replaced by the next group of 2,500 athletes and coaches.

“That will be a crusher; 2,500 from the airport to Brock [University], and 2,500 from Brock to the airport,” McIlhone said.

He laughs when contemplating the challenge that awaits him and his committee.

“If that doesn’t get your engine going man, I don’t know what will.”

His committee’s role is something he hopes won’t be noticeable.

Stay up-to-date with everything happening at the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games

Languages Spoken

By identifying yourself as bilingual (English and French), bonjourniagara.com will call upon your collaboration.